Plaque exchange by Hon Dionisio D’Aguilar, Minister of Tourism & Aviation and Frontier Airlines Executives, during a ceremony for Frontier Airlines inaugural flight from Miami to Nassau June 24, 2021. (Photo Credit: Bahamas Ministry of Tourism & Aviation)
By Ian McMurtry
Frontier Brings ULCC Airfare Back to the Bahamas
Frontier officially arrived in the Bahamas for the first time in the airline’s history and what the island-chain nation hopes are ushering a new era for ultra-low-cost travel to and from the islands. The service, which was announced back in April, officially brings the Denver-based carrier into Nassau’s Lynden Pindling International Airport with four weekly flights to Miami. While passenger service begins in July, the airline’s first arrival would occur on June 24th to bring Frontier executives to the airport for a ceremony.
The inaugural flight was operated by N364FR, an Airbus A320neo painted in the livery of Tex the Armadillo. The aircraft launched from Miami roughly 15 minutes behind its scheduled 3:24 pm departure time but still arrived twenty minutes early at 4:14 pm. The aircraft would spend over an hour and a half on the ground in the Bahamas before F947 would mirror the 15-minute delayed push but still arrive back into Miami ten minutes early.
Flown with executives of Frontier Airlines onboard, a celebration between Frontier Airlines employees and Bahamian government officials included a plaque exchange as the country added another US carrier to its portfolio. The push comes from the Bahamian government to continue to find ways to improve connections between the United States and
During the events at Lynden Pindling International Airport, Bahamian Minister of Tourism and Aviation, Dionisio D’Agular commented, “I am honored and excited that Frontier Airlines has decided to partner with The Bahamas, particularly at this critical juncture, as we engage on the path of tourism recovery and economic restoration following a devastating hurricane and most recently, the COVID-19 pandemic. I take this opportunity to extend a warm Bahamian welcome to you and to express our sincere appreciation for your partnership. Frontier Airlines’ multiple flights per week provide a breath of fresh air to our tourism economy as this air link connects our destination to the hub of the Southeastern USA, including Florida, a market from which we annually attract a significant share of our visitors.”
For the island chain nation, the arrival of Frontier is a first for the country and a chance to once again have an ultra-low-cost carrier as a possibility for travelers. The nation had previously been served from Ft. Lauderdale by Spirit Airlines, but service was cut in late 2012 after struggling to compete with jetBlue Airways and Bahamasair on the route.
With no presence at Ft. Lauderdale, it is natural for Frontier to default to launching its Nassau flight from its base in Miami. The airline is competing with Bahamasair on the route as well as Miami-based carrier American on the route. Unlike the other carriers, Frontier’s route is seasonal.
Back when the route was announced in April, Frontier’s Senior Vice President of Commercial Operations, Daniel Shurz, commented saying, “we’re thrilled to add Nassau to our route map with nonstop Miami flights beginning this summer. This world-class destination is known for its beautiful beaches, countless outdoor activities and is a great place to make unforgettable memories with family and friends this summer and we’re excited to offer Bahamians a low-fare way to Miami.”
Although Ian McMurtry was never originally an avgeek, he did enjoy watching US Airways aircraft across western Pennsylvania in the early 2000s. He lived along the Pennsylvania Railroad and took a liking to trains but a change of scenery in the mid-2000s saw him shift more of an interest into aviation. He would eventually express this passion by taking flying lessons in mid-Missouri and joining AirlineGeeks in 2013. Now living in Wichita, Kansas, Ian is in college majoring in aerospace engineering and minoring in business administration at Wichita State University.
